The following details have been supplied by the PCS DWP Group:“DWP and CMEC Guidance
DWP and CMEC have basic guidance for serious disruption to public transport and extreme weather conditions under Standards of Behaviour and Flexible Working Hours Procedure.
Standards of Behaviour:
DWP Standards of Behaviour Procedures, Paragraph 38, states:
“38. In the case of travel disruptions or bad weather, you are expected to consider alternative transport options including walking if less than one hour’s walking distance, or secondly, to consider working from an office location closer to home, or from home if practicable. Consideration will be made for issues of diversity and equality, and for your health, safety and welfare.”
CMEC Standards of Behaviour Policy, Paragraph 31, states:
“31. In the case of travel disruptions or bad weather, you are expected to consider alternative transport options including walking if less than one hour’s walking distance or secondly, to consider working from an alternative Commission office closer to home, or from home if practicable. Consideration will be made for issues of diversity and equality, and for your health, safety and welfare.”
Flexible Working Hours Procedures
Both DWP and CMEC Flexible Working Hours Procedures have guidance under Paragraph 3.1 which tells managers to:
“Use discretion about requests for FWH credits for reasons such as serious disruption to public transport and extreme weather conditions”
Health, Safety and Welfare
Managers should give due regard to staffs’ health, safety and welfare, particularly those staff who, as a result of transport disruption, are walking long distances outside of daylight hours in order to attend for work. Managers will need to make use of local knowledge when making decisions regarding what is a reasonable time for staff to start their journey home. Relevant factors to take into account include the route to be taken and weather conditions.
Managers should also consider sympathetically requests for special leave which result from the possible wider effects of transport disruption, for example closure of schools or the breakdown of childcare arrangements.
All decisions must take full account of equal opportunities, family friendly policies and staff health, safety and welfare.”
Local Issues
Through out the holiday period and the cold weather the Branch has raised issues with the employer on the Norcross, Peel Park and Warbreck sites. We have undertaken Health and Safety inspections and have been concerned about the state of the footpaths, the site roads, car park and access and egress routes.
We had provided support and guidance to many members who have been in contact.
Unfortunately there have been serious accidents including fractured bones/ limbs. In these circumstances we have directed the member to the PCS Accident Claim procedures to take forward any appropriate compensation claims.
Although many line managers may have taken a sensible approach there have been occasions of frankly ludicrous and dangerous advice being given by the employer (such as abandoning young children to get into work, or driving 20 miles in the treacherous conditions to attend the Office).
We will continue to counter any nonsense of this kind.
